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Anyone
who has ever taken a spin on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Montu or Kumba
roller coasters knows how much excitement and adrenaline a three-minute
ride can pack. Now, a just-released survey by Amusement Today magazine
reveals what roller coaster enthusiasts throughout the world think of
these two gems and 23 others in an international top-25 steel coaster
poll.
Busch Entertainment Corporation, comprised in part by
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Va.), and SeaWorld
Adventure Parks, is well represented in the international survey. Both Busch
Gardens combined for a 2-3-4- trifecta in the list of top coasters.
Alpengeist (Busch Gardens Williamsburg) was ranked second, immediately
followed by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Montu and Kumba.
In addition, Busch Gardens Williamsburg placed ninth with
Big Bad Wolf and 15th with Loch Ness Monster. SeaWorld San Antonio rounds
out the corporation’s impressive overall tally with Great White in 22nd
place.
"We
are very happy to be in such great company," Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s
General Manager and Executive Vice President Robin Carson said of the poll.
"Montu and Kumba are right up there for us, and for the corporation it’s
great to have Busch Gardens Williamsburg so well represented and also
SeaWorld San Antonio."
Montu opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 1996 while
Kumba opened in 1993. Alpengeist opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in
1997, while Big Bad Wolf opened in 1984 and Loch Ness Monster in 1978. Great
White opened at SeaWorld San Antonio in 1997.
Amusement Today also recently announced winners of its
Golden Ticket Awards. According to publisher Gary Slade, the awards are the
equivalent to television’s People’s Choice Awards. Busch Gardens Tampa
Bay tied for second, behind Busch Gardens Williamsburg, in the Best
Landscaping category. Busch Gardens Williamsburg also took first place
honors in Best Shows, Best Food and Cleanest Park categories.
Top
25 Steel Roller Coasters (1998)
|
Rank |
Coaster |
Year Built |
Park |
Location |
|
1 |
Magnum XL-200 |
1989 |
Cedar Point |
Sandusky, OH |
|
2 |
Alpengeist |
1997 |
Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
3 |
Montu |
1996 |
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |
Tampa, FL |
|
4 |
Kumba |
1993 |
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |
Tampa, FL |
|
5 |
Steel Force |
1997 |
Dorney Park |
Allentown, PA |
|
6 |
Raptor |
1994 |
Cedar Point |
Sandusky, OH |
|
7 |
Mamba |
1998 |
Worlds of Fun |
Kansas City, MO |
|
8 |
Desperado |
1994 |
Buffalo Bill’s Casino |
Primm, NV |
|
9 |
Big Bad Wolf |
1984 |
Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
10 |
Nemesis |
1994 |
Alton Towers |
Straffordshire, England |
|
11 |
Steel Phantom |
1991 |
Kennywood |
West Mifflin, PA |
|
12 |
Mind Bender |
1978 |
Six Flags Over Georgia |
Atlanta, GA |
|
13 |
Mindbender |
1985 |
Galaxyland |
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
|
14 |
Mantis |
1996 |
Cedar Point |
Sandusky, OH |
|
15 |
Taz’s Texas Tornado |
1998* (tie) |
Six Flags AstroWorld |
Houston, TX |
|
15 |
Loch Ness Monster |
1978* (tie) |
Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
Williamsburg, VA |
|
17 |
Shockwave |
1978 |
Six Flags Over Texas |
Arlington, TX |
|
18 |
Big One |
1994 |
Blackpool Pleasure Beach |
Blackpool, England |
|
19 |
Batman The Ride |
1993 |
Six Flags Great Adventure |
Jackson, NJ |
|
20 |
Superman The Escape |
1997 |
Six Flags Magic Mountain |
Valencia, CA |
|
21 |
Batman The Ride |
1995 |
Six Flags St. Louis |
Eureka, MO |
|
22 |
Great White |
1997 |
SeaWorld of Texas |
San Antonio, TX |
|
23 |
Mr. Freeze |
1998* (tie) |
Six Flags Over Texas |
Arlington, TX |
|
23 |
Batman The Ride |
1992* (tie) |
Six Flags Great America |
Gurnee, IL |
|
25 |
Crazy Mouse |
1997 |
Dinosaur Beach |
Wildwood, NJ |
|
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Busch Gardens Photo Albums
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